Red Letter Challenge

❤️ What if the life Jesus calls you to isn’t just better for others, but better for you?

Forgiveness is hard. Loving difficult people is hard. Serving sacrificially is hard.

Yet time and time again, the way of Jesus leads to deeper peace, healthier relationships, stronger families, and lasting joy that the world can’t offer.

Matt Peeples reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about earning God’s love or chasing prosperity, it’s about trusting the One who knows the best way to live.

His path isn’t always the easiest.

But it is always the best.

🎙️ Watch the full episode or listen on your favorite podcast platform:
https://redletterpodcast.com

their lives
🚨 What if we’ve had the mission backward?

Too often, we expect people who don’t know Jesus to adapt to our schedules, traditions, and church culture before they ever hear the Gospel.

But what if the Church was never meant to wait behind its walls?

Matt Peeples reminds us that Jesus sends His people into neighborhoods, workplaces, coffee shops, and everyday conversations to meet people where they are. The Gospel moves through ordinary believers living on mission every day.

The goal isn’t simply to invite people into our rhythm.

It’s to bring the hope of Christ into their lives.

🎙️ Watch the full episode or listen on your favorite podcast platform:
https://redletterpodcast.com

🚨 What if we’ve made disciple-making far more complicated than Jesus ever intended?

The mission wasn’t to build bigger programs. It was to equip everyday believers to make everyday disciples.

Matt Peeples shares why the Church may be overcomplicating what Jesus made beautifully simple and why the greatest impact often happens outside the church building, through ordinary people living extraordinary faith.

The question isn’t, “How do we get more people into church?”

The question is, “How do we help more people follow Jesus where they already are?”

🔥 This conversation might completely change the way you think about discipleship.

▶️ Watch the full episode or listen on your favorite podcast platform at:
https://redletterpodcast.com

Peter got down out of the boat and walks on water.


📷; .church

Why is pastoral formation becoming one of the most debated topics in the LCMS today?

With nearly 90 overtures focused on pastoral formation heading into convention, it’s clear that the future of ministry leadership is a conversation the church can’t ignore.

In this clip from The Red Letter Disciple Podcast, Zach Zehnder sits down with Dr. Andy Bartelt to discuss the growing debate surrounding theological education, pastoral preparation, and why he felt compelled to write a thoughtful reflection on the state of pastoral formation in the LCMS.

This conversation goes beyond policies and programs. It’s about preparing faithful leaders to serve Christ and His Church for generations to come.

▶️ Watch the full episode:https://redletterpodcast.com

🎧 Or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

What happens when the loudest voices aren’t actually the majority?

As the LCMS heads toward convention, many fear the conversation around pastoral formation has become increasingly divided. But Dr. Andy Bartelt offers a different perspective.

In this clip from The Red Letter Disciple Podcast, he shares why he believes most church leaders are actually much closer to agreement than many realize, and why finding common ground may be the key to moving forward.

Rather than allowing the extremes to dominate the conversation, what if the future of the church depends on listening to the faithful voices in the middle?

This is a powerful discussion about unity, wisdom, leadership, and the future of pastoral formation in the LCMS.

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://redletterpodcast.com

🎧 Or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

Are pastors called to protect the truth, proclaim the Gospel, or both?

In this compelling moment from The Red Letter Disciple Podcast, Zach Zehnder explores a tension that has existed throughout church history: the balance between guarding sound doctrine and boldly sharing the Gospel.

Zach argues that healthy church leadership requires both. Some leaders are naturally wired to protect. Others are wired to proclaim. The challenge is learning how to work together rather than against one another.

As conversations around pastoral formation continue throughout the LCMS, Zach raises an important concern: Have we stopped talking with one another and started talking about one another?

This clip is a thoughtful call for humility, dialogue, and a willingness to engage practical issues without turning every disagreement into a battle.

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://redletterpodcast.com

🎧 Or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

What if the Church’s greatest strength… is something we’ve had all along?

In this powerful moment from The Red Letter Disciple, Zach Zehnder sits with Noemi Guerra and Greg Finke to reflect on a truth that changes everything:

The Gospel is enough.

A pure, beautiful, grace-filled Gospel.
Not earned. Not performed. Freely given.

Saved by grace.

For those who’ve encountered it after coming from other backgrounds… it feels like discovering treasure you didn’t know existed.

And that treasure?

It’s meant to be shared.

Not just studied… but lived and carried to people who are still disconnected, still searching, still longing for truth.

This is the strength of the Church.

Watch the full episode: https://redletterpodcast.com
Or, listen on your favorite podcast platform.